1. A short time ago, the Legislative Council voted, given the failure to reach the requisite two-thirds majority stipulated under Annex I of the Basic Law, to reject the Government’s proposal on the method for selecting the Chief Executive (“CE”) in2017 (“Proposal”).

2. The Progressive Lawyers Group welcomes this result to the extent that the Proposal was labelled as “universal suffrage” when it was in fact no so. Nonetheless, we do so without any joy. The fact remains that Hong Kongers are still deprived of the universal suffrage that has been legally promised to them under the Basic Law.

3. The Government is responsible for this political debacle. It is the party responsible for implementing Article 45 of the Basic Law’s stipulation that the CE be ultimately selected by way of universal suffrage. It now has a constitutional duty to re-commence the process stipulated under Annex I of the Basic Law for amending the method for selecting the CE and present a proposal for such amendment that is in fact universal suffrage.

4. The fight for democracy in Hong Kong is far from over. The road ahead is uncertain and difficult. But the Progressive Lawyers Group will remain firmly grounded with the people of Hong Kong in upholding the law, upholding reason and upholding the truth when maintaining this fight.